Multi-spool adapter

Abstract

An adapter for simultaneously winding multiple spools and a method for using the same. The adapter includes a body portion having a pair of opposed faces and an outer wall or perimeter. Each of the opposed faces may include a plurality of recesses configured to receive a plurality of pins for interconnecting multiple spools. The plurality of pins may be offset such that it provides for the entry hubs of the multiple spools to align with one another. The adapter further includes at least one depression or indentation on the perimeter for providing access to at least a portion of the spool flange. The depression provides an operator with easy access to insert or apply the finishing end of the welding wire or similar, to the finishing hub of the spools.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An adapter for interconnecting multiple spools comprising:
 a body having at least one bore extending through a thickness of said body, a first face opposite a second face, and a perimeter; 
 wherein said first face includes at least one recess extending at least partially through said thickness and adapted to receive a first positioning means therein; 
 wherein said second face includes at least one recess extending at least partially through said thickness and adapted to receive a second positioning means therein and positioned axially offset from said at least one recess of said first face; and 
 wherein said perimeter includes at least one depression for providing access to at least a portion of a spool flange. 
 
     
     
       2. The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second positioning means is a pin. 
     
     
       3. The adapter of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first pin at least partially received within said at least one recess of said first face; and 
 a second pin at least partially received within said at least one recess of said second face. 
 
     
     
       4. The adapter of  claim 3 , wherein
 said first and second pin are frictionally fitted within said recesses on said first and second face. 
 
     
     
       5. The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein said perimeter includes:
 a pair of opposed depressions for providing access to at least a portion of a flange on a spool. 
 
     
     
       6. The adapter of  claim 5 , wherein said perimeter includes:
 a second pair of opposed depressions spaced apart from said first pair of opposed depressions for providing access to at least a portion of a spool flange. 
 
     
     
       7. The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein said first face and said second face each include:
 a pair of opposed recesses; 
 further wherein said pair of opposed recesses on said first face are axially offset from said pair of opposed recesses on said second face. 
 
     
     
       8. The adapter of  claim 7  further comprising:
 a first pair of pins received within said pair of opposed recesses on said first face, and 
 a second pair of pins received within said pair of opposed recesses on said second face. 
 
     
     
       9. The adapter of  claim 7 , wherein said first face and said second face each include:
 a second pair of opposed recesses; 
 wherein said second pair of opposed recesses are spaced apart from said first pair of opposed recesses, and 
 further wherein said recesses on said first face are axially offset from said recesses on said second face. 
 
     
     
       10. The adapter of  claim 9  further comprising:
 four pins received within said first and second pair of opposed recesses on said first face, and 
 four pins received within said first and said second pair of opposed recesses on said second face. 
 
     
     
       11. The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein
 at least one of said recesses extends through the thickness of said body. 
 
     
     
       12. An adapter for interconnecting multiple spools comprising:
 a body having opposed side faces and a perimeter; 
 wherein said body includes at least one bore extending through a thickness of said body, and 
 said perimeter includes at least one depression for providing access to at least a portion of a spool; and 
 wherein each of said opposed side faces includes at least one positioning means protruding therefrom, and said at least one positioning means on one of said opposed side faces is axially offset from said at least one pin on the other opposed side face. 
 
     
     
       13. The adapter of  claim 12 , wherein said positioning means on said opposed side faces is a pin. 
     
     
       14. The adapter of  claim 12 , wherein said perimeter comprises:
 a pair of opposed depressions for providing access to at least a portion of a spool flange. 
 
     
     
       15. The adapter of  claim 14  wherein said perimeter further comprises:
 a second pair of opposed depressions spaced apart from said first pair of opposed depressions for providing access to at least a portion of a spool flange. 
 
     
     
       16. The adapter of  claim 12 , wherein each of said opposed side faces include:
 two pair of opposed positioning means protruding therefrom, wherein said two pair of opposed positioning means on one of said opposed side faces are axially offset from said two pair of opposed positioning means on the other opposed side face. 
 
     
     
       17. The adapter of  claim 12 , wherein:
 said positioning means is integral with each opposed side face. 
 
     
     
       18. The adapter of  claim 12 , wherein:
 said positioning means protruding from said opposed side faces are secured within recesses extending at least partially through the thickness of said body. 
 
     
     
       19. The adapter of  claim 18 , wherein:
 at least one of said recesses extends through the thickness of said body. 
 
     
     
       20. An adapter for interconnecting multiple spools comprising:
 a body defining a perimeter, and having a first side face and a second side face beneath said perimeter; 
 wherein said first side face and said second side face include a plurality of pins protruding therefrom, wherein said plurality of pins on said first side face are axially offset from said plurality of pins on said second side face; and 
 wherein said perimeter includes a means for accessing at least a portion of a spool flange. 
 
     
     
       21. The adapter of  claim 20  wherein:
 said means for accessing at least a portion of the flange on a spool is at least one depression. 
 
     
     
       22. The adapter of  claim 20  wherein:
 said means for accessing at least a portion of the flange on a spool is a pair of opposed depressions. 
 
     
     
       23. A method for winding multiple spools on a spooling machine having a winding shaft comprising the steps of:
 providing at least a first spool and a second spool, 
 wherein said first and second spool each include a first bore for receiving the winding shaft, a curvilinear slot adapted to receive at least a portion of a pin therein, and a pair of opposed flanges; 
 providing at least one adapter having a body with at least one bore extending through a thickness of said body, a pair of opposed side faces having at least one pin protruding therefrom, and a perimeter, 
 wherein said at least one pin protruding from one of said opposed side faces is axially offset from said at least one pin protruding from said other side face; and 
 wherein said perimeter includes at least one depression for providing access to at least a portion of one of said opposed flanges; 
 interconnecting said first spool and said second spool with said adapter, wherein said at least one pin on each of said opposed side faces is received within said slots of said first and second spool; 
 providing a means for mountably securing said first spool, said second spool, and said adapter on the spooling machine; and 
 winding said first spool and second spool simultaneously.